Chiefs were ‘super high’ on Emmett Johnson: ‘We were shocked he fell’

“We went through the running backs, and Emmett was one of the top guys we watched,” Nutt remembered. “We loved him. Brett was super high on this kid; we all were really high on this kid.”

Johnson was graded as high as a third-round pick by some draft analysts, showing talent that was clear to Nutt and the staff in Kansas City.

“He’s a juke button, he has very good feet, vision, feel, and he’s very good out of the backfield,” Nutt described. “I think the Combine 40, I think he ran like a 4.56 or something, that might’ve scared people away, but then he ran a 4.49 at his Pro Day. Then he ran like a 4.49 or 4.50… so he showed on two reps that he can match the same speed.”

“I don’t know why he fell,” Nutt admitted. “We were shocked he fell, and that’s why we took him in the fifth round, and that’s why Brett traded up to get him. Because of the conviction we had in the talent, and we because we knew that was probably lower than he should’ve went, but we’re happy to have the kid for sure.”

The Chiefs were happy to be the team to give a decorated back like Johnson his chance, and the feelings were mutual.

When Johnson spoke with reporters on a video call after his selection, he expressed his excitement about rolling with the punches.

“Same reaction I had my whole life, I’ve been doubted, I’ve been passed on so I just needed an opportunity, honestly,” Johnson said. “Really blessed for this opportunity, didn’t matter what pick, what round, I can still put on a football jersey, put on a football helmet, go out there and work. When it’s on the field, it’s not ‘what pick it is,’ it’s everyone playing football, so I’m ready for that.”

Johnson is projected to be the immediate backup to Walker in the lead-back role, but don’t be surprised if Johnson earns his way onto the field on pass downs or in other situations. His talent may be hard for the coaching staff to ignore, just like it was for the front office during Day 3 of the draft.